Story perspectives

Laboratory Monkey Prices Surge Amid Booming Biotech Market

2/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prices for laboratory monkeys in China have risen to about 140,000 yuan ($20,260), surpassing the average wage.
Prices have doubled in five years due to growing drug-licensing deals between Chinese biotech firms and global pharmaceutical companies.
A tender from the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica allocated 62 million yuan for 450 cynomolgus macaques, cheaper than prior purchases.
Analysts attribute rising prices to heightened biotech funding and more drug candidates in early-stage testing.

1 of 1

Story summary

Prices for laboratory monkeys in China have risen to about 140,000 yuan ($20,260), surpassing the average wage.
Prices have doubled in five years due to growing drug-licensing deals between Chinese biotech firms and global pharmaceutical companies.
A tender from the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica allocated 62 million yuan for 450 cynomolgus macaques, cheaper than prior purchases.
Analysts attribute rising prices to heightened biotech funding and more drug candidates in early-stage testing.